START A COMPANY / EUROPE
How to register a company in Estonia
Estonian companies register online in the e-Business Register. An OÜ needs no meaningful minimum capital (EUR 0.01) and a EUR 265 state fee. e-Residency (EUR 150 in 2026) gives foreigners a digital ID for remote setup.
- REGISTRY
- e-Business Register (e-äriregister), Centre of Registers and Information Systems RIK
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- €65 (≈ £56)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Non-residents can found an OÜ fully online with an Estonian ID, Smart-ID or e-Residency digital ID card. No residency needed for the sole board member, but you need an Estonian registered address and a contact person (a service provider can supply both). Bank accounts can be harder for e-residents.
SOLE TRADER
FIE: Füüsilisest isikust ettevõtja (sole trader)
Freelancers and small traders wanting low cost and simple accounting; Estonian residents or e-residents.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 owner
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1-3 days
Steps
Log in to the e-Business Register with ID card, Mobile-ID, Smart-ID or e-Residency digital ID.
File the sole trader registration application online.
Pay the state fee (about EUR 65, unverified).
Receive your registry code; register for VAT with the Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) if turnover exceeds EUR 40,000.
Arrange health insurance and social tax, paid quarterly by the sole trader.
Open a business bank account and keep bookkeeping.
Documents
- Valid ID or e-Residency digital ID
- Business activity (EMTAK code)
- Estonian address (or contact address)
Official fees
State fee about EUR 65 online (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | €65≈ £56 | DIY: state registration fee, about |
| With an accountant or agent | €400≈ £340 | Accountant helps with registration and setup, about |
| Full service | €1,200≈ £1,000 | Accountant with ongoing bookkeeping and tax filing, about |
Every year
- Annual income tax return
- VAT returns monthly if registered
- Quarterly social tax advance
- Bookkeeping
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: fee level.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
OÜ: Osaühing (private limited company)
Most start-ups and remote or e-Residency businesses; tax is only paid when profit is distributed.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder and 1 management board member
- Minimum capital
- EUR 0.01 per share (previous EUR 2,500 minimum abolished 1 Feb 2023)
- Time
- 1-3 days after digital ID; 3-8 weeks if ordering e-Residency
Steps
Choose a company name and check it in the e-Business Register.
Get an Estonian ID, Smart-ID or order an e-Residency digital ID card (state fee EUR 150 in 2026; processing about 3-8 weeks).
Arrange an Estonian registered address and contact person with a service provider.
Log in to the e-Business Register and complete the OÜ application with the standard articles of association.
Sign digitally and pay the state fee of EUR 265; registration usually takes about 1 working day.
Register for VAT with EMTA if turnover will exceed EUR 40,000.
Open a business bank account and set up accounting.
Documents
- Digital ID or e-Residency card
- Articles of association (standard template)
- Registered address agreement
- Beneficial owner details
- Share capital payment proof
Official fees
State fee EUR 265 online; e-Residency card EUR 150 in 2026 (EUR 165 from 2027 per one source); no notary needed.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | €415≈ £360 | DIY: EUR 265 state fee plus EUR 150 e-Residency card |
| With an accountant or agent | €900≈ £770 | With a service provider supplying address, contact person and set-up, about |
| Full service | €2,000≈ £1,700 | Law or corporate-services firm with address, contact person and bank help, about |
Every year
- Annual report filed with the register within 6 months of year end
- Corporate tax of 22% only on distributed profit (unverified for 2026)
- VAT returns monthly if registered
- Payroll and social tax filings
- Pay registered address and contact person fees
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: 22% distribution tax rate for 2026; e-Residency 2026/2027 fees are from secondary sources.
PUBLIC COMPANY
AS: Aktsiaselts (public limited company)
Larger or investor-backed ventures that need shares tradable on markets; heavier governance.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder, 1 management board member and a supervisory board
- Minimum capital
- EUR 25,000
- Time
- 1-2 weeks
Steps
Choose a company name and prepare articles of association.
Pay in the EUR 25,000 share capital to a bank account.
Appoint the management board and supervisory board.
Sign and file the application in the e-Business Register.
Pay the state fee (higher than OÜ, about EUR 330, unverified).
Register for VAT and employer duties with EMTA.
Open a business bank account.
Documents
- Articles of association
- Bank confirmation of capital
- Board appointments
- Beneficial owner details
Official fees
State fee about EUR 330 online (unverified); EUR 25,000 capital.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | €330≈ £280 | DIY: state registration fee, about |
| With an accountant or agent | €1,800≈ £1,500 | With an agent or lawyer drafting documents, about |
| Full service | €4,000≈ £3,400 | Law firm with address, boards and bank help, about |
Every year
- Annual report
- Supervisory board and general meeting records
- VAT returns
- Distribution tax filings
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: AS fees and rules.
After you register
- Register for VAT with EMTA once turnover exceeds EUR 40,000 (voluntary earlier).
- Register employees with EMTA before the start of work (TSD declaration monthly).
- Report beneficial owners to the register; this is submitted with the company application.
- Open a business bank account; non-resident founders may need a bank that accepts e-Residents, plus a local contact.
- Maintain Estonian registered address and contact person.
- Check activity licences with the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority where applicable.
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Europe
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.